He grew up in extreme poverty in Tulepo, Mississippi. Dad was in jail. He attended an all black church with Mom. And he was a huge advocate for the children.
His backing singers were black and were often refused entrance to the gig. He just told them if they couldn't come in and perform, then he wouldn't either. And he stuck to it. He really understood as he grew up in terrible poverty and knew just what it was like. A very good person.....
That's not exactly how it went. Certain places mostly the southern states advised the Elvis camp that he could leave the black girls back home. Elvis refused to work any gig where the girls weren't welcome. I'm Myrna Smith of the Sweet Inspirations cousin .
Elvis grew up dirt poor in the south, Tupelo, Mississippi. He used to attend a Black church because he liked the music and singing. This instilled in him a great compassion for the poor from all cultures.
Elvis had a lot of respect for the black community and drew a lot of inspiration from the black church music and he attended a lot of revivals as he grew up poor and had a lot of black friends through out his life. He was truly an inspiration to me.
I love that you love Elvis. He was one of a kind. He grew up dirt poor. A whole new generation is finding out that he was more than a caricature or cartoon. He was solid.
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 you seriously need to do some research before you open your mouth go and watch Elvis and the black community on here, also his mother used to wash Neighbors clothes for some extra money he was born on the wrong side of the train tracks all his neighbours were black, he used to have Sunday mass at a black church his friends growing up were black he used to sneak his friend in a “white only movie theatre” when he worked there. Go and read a book then come back and comment, anyone who disagrees with these simple facts don’t know anything about elvis’s childhood
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 go and research his actual neighbours and read what they have to say over the years when they were interviewed, how he treated every body man woman black or white and called them sir and mam, how he learned his first guitar chords form his black neighbours, how he over and over throughout his career told his fans that his roots in gospel music made him what he was, not forgetting how many amazing charity’s and random acts of kindness he done in his lifetime for anyone no matter race to colour, to say how is Elvis connected to the black community and you need an explanation then you in my opinion shouldn’t bother listening to Elvis ever again Because you have completely missed the point and feel of his music. Listen to somebody else...
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 oh and only fools think they know all the answers without research so anything you say is literally just a opinion . It stops with you, there is nothing you can say or do that will change the fact Elvis is Elvis he’s a lot bigger than you even in death
Elvis grew up in the Ghetto in Miss. and Memphis he was a twin but his brother died at birth. He was very special. Now watch Elvis and the Black Community and If I can Dream is about MLK. This song was 70s.
Elvis came from the ghetto. His family moved to Memphis and he was in the projects. He made a record for his mom for her birthday. BAM! A king in the making.
I was 10 years old in 1969, a middle-class White Aussie girl living thousands of miles from the USA. I didn't know what a ghetto was, but this song made me cry, and 53 years later it still does because nothing has changed! My Mum loved Elvis. In July 2022 we had planned to watch the Elvis movie together, but Mum died peacefully that morning. So, 3 hours after my mum died my daughter and I went to the cinema to honour my beautiful mother. At the movie's end when "In the Ghetto" was played, my daughter cried for her grandma's passing, but I still cried for all those mommas in the Ghetto.
We didn't really learn or heed the words and just want to blame the people in the ghetto rather than help. We say it's their damn fault. They just need to pick themselves up from their boot straps. Sorry for your loss. I grew up hearing a bit of Elvis when I was a kid, but I was very young, so he was kind of a footnote. I definitely knew Jailhouse Rock and Suspicious Minds the best. The Ghetto came to me later.
Elvis was born in the Getto, very poor. He saw this firsthand. Just as true today as in the 60's.Makes me cry cause I was born in the Getto. Single Mom, we struggled. Made fun of because of being poor. God bless those ones who know.
Elvis was born into very poor conditions and lived in a mixed race ghetto type area in Tennessee. He never forgot where he came from and was generous to a fault with anyone he met in need.
Elvis was born into poverty, he lived in TN and moved to Memphis when he was about 13 yrs old, at that time they lived in the projects there. They say that this is part of the reason he was so generous and caring, because he knew what it was like to go without and it made him very humble all of his life.
Elvis was born extremely poor. He always fought for the underdog. After hearing this song and where Elvis is coming from you should definitely react to “Elvis Presley and the Black Community.” It’s a short documentary that i think you and your viewers may enjoy.
Elvis was from poverty and very involved in the black community, but this was written by Mac Davis a country s8nger/song writer. He too grew up in poverty etc. He recorded this first but then Elvis took it and re-recorded because he was big enough to make it a hit and he wanted to shine a light on this. 50 years later it STILL resonates because it's on repeat!!!
I'm 75 and I'm loving seeing your generation discover Elvis! If everyone were like him we wouldn't even know what the word racism meant. I see lots of people recommending "Elvis and the Black Community". It's a 2 part documentary. Elvis recorded over 800 songs so your journey could be long but, trust me, it'll be worth it. I have a few suggestions to get you started: "Walk A Mile In My Shoes", "Make The World Go Away", "One Night With You", "Suspicious Minds", "A Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Polk Salad Annie", and "Memphis Tennessee". And if you like gospel (Elvis's first love) a good starting point is "How Great Thou Art". Enjoy the journey!!
Add "If I Can Dream" a tribute to MLk. I think that song performed at his 1968 Come Back Special is not only his best performance but the best performance I have ever seen. I try to listen to it every day and apply it's principles to my life. Not always an easy thing to do.
in the ghetto Elvis at his best deep yes very deep Elvis was a gent very generous supported more then we are aware of god bless this man humble beginning's and stayed that way his background meant some thing he never forgot the hardship nor where he came from which is why he was so generous god bless this man if he aint in heaven i want to know why i love the man all in a good way
Elvis was born poor. But loved everyone. He really loved his mother. Did everything for her. When he did his concerts those big rings on his fingers that were worth thousands of dollars he would give to the women in the audience. Not all the time but he did. He was in the Army also did a lot of movies. He sang Gospel songs too. Which I really think you would enjoy.
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 can you articulate an answer yourself? or do you just link that video every time you feel like your victimhood is being diminished?
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 I don't think your a victim end of. and i'm not an Elvis fan either. just like watching people watch stuff, how wierd eh? But if people like Elvis didn't stand up to the jim crow laws/ideology things might have been worse for the poor black today. for everyone who deserves credit for their behaviour during those times, there is someone like you who just wants to trash them.
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 my error. stood against it is what i meant to write. and if you weren't trashing elvis (and his fans) then maybe you should have actually wrote what you meant instead of just posting a link to a bunch of photos. edit. if fact you go back and read. i never did say he stood up for. i said he stood up to.
If I can Dream, Walk A Mile In My Shoes, In The Ghetto, Change of Habit, Clean Up Your Own Backyard - Elvis was NOT a protest singer - but he DID make his statements, but people didn't care to listen.
Elvis did not write any songs but he refused to back off singing this and his interpretation of " In The Ghetto " is brilliant . The first to stand up to Racism in America was Frank Sinatra with Sammy Davis Jr .
This song was personal to Elvis; he actually went to the President to seek change. He caught mass flack over this song, they did not want him to release it. What is sad is this song is 50 years old and is just as relevant today as it was then. I was 7 when I heard it, the lyrics "As the world turns" set with me and I have never been able to just let the world turn. We are our brothers' keepers.
As soon as you said that you were from Chicago, I knew this song would touch you. This song was written by Mac Davis (singer/songwriter), but Elvis wanted to sing it because he understood. Please react to If I Can Dream by Elvis-it will affect you, too.
Yes MAC DAVIS WROTE THIS SONG HE OFFERED IT TO SAMMY DAVIS JR. AND SEEM LIKE NO ONE WOULD DO IT ON A STAGE FILLED MOSTLY PROMINENT WHITE PEOPLE.. ELVIS WAS ASKED NOT TO DO IT.... AND HE DID.. WHEN HE SINGS PART AS THE WORLD TURNS HE GOES INTO BOWING HEAD AND LOOKS INTO THE AUDIENCE. I MAY ADD THERE'S NO SMILE ON THIS MANS FACE. I WAS SO PROUD WHEN HE DID THIS SONG. GOD BLESS THE CHILDREN. 💞💞💞
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 Elvis fans don't really care what a hateful uniformed racist TROLLER like you thinks about Elvis. So why don't you go and watch other reactions and talk about something that you are more educated about. He respected MLK and what he stood for, and by not attending his funeral doesn't mean anything!!! LOTS of famous people admire other famous people, but they don't necessarily have to attend their funeral to prove a point. It's such a lame argument. You must be a very bitter and shallow person. You pretend to be such a big MLK supporter, but you sir are the one who is not walking the walk because MLK preached on peace and love which are two things you could use a little more of in your heart.
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 Hey bitter troll, as others have said, Elvis did not attend MLK's funeral out of respect for MLK because it would've created a distraction and a circus & detracted attn from MLK. You're the fool, get help with your anger issues.
This might be your first time hearing Elvis but I bet it won't be your last, Elvis grew up in the ghetto, he knew all about it, listen to him sing if I can dream and walk a mile in my shoes, you'll understand him even more. If I can dream was a tribute to MLK and JFK. Thanks Lori Sutton TCB!!!
Elvis was born on the "wrong side" of the tracks in a "shotgun house" in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was a rwin - his brother not surviving too many hours past birth. As the saying goes, his family didn't have "a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of." He did A LOT for the black community during his whole life and hired many black folks, then caught Hell for it, but it never stopped him and God made sure he prospered!
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 - He hired people for road crew, to work at Graceland, musicians, etc., all at a time when it WASN'T received too well. BTW, just WHO do you think YOU are? WHY am I supposed to school you? Are you that "special" or that LAZY? I don't owe you jack!
Also check out Mac Davis while you go down the Elvis rabbit hole. Mac Davis was famous for "Oh Lord, It's Hard to be Humble" and " Happiness Is Lubbock Texas in my Rear View Window," but he wrote lots of songs for Elvis under his birth name, Scott Davis. Most notably, Mac wrote "Memories," "A Little Less Conversation," and Don't Cry Daddy" for Elvis to record in addition to "In the Ghetto."
@@RJsStudio131 I love them all!!! He was my first musical crush. Dream Me Home, Poor Boy Boogie, Memories, Friend Lover Woman Wife, One Hell of a Woman, Naughty Girl, Half and Half. I love them all.
I have watched SOOOOOOOO many peopel react to this same song, and ALL of them have said the same thing. Which lets you know how legendary Elvis is with the messages in his songs.
Elvis loved all people. He sang of injustice. He sang this and If I Can Dream against the advice of his people. He didn't care. Watch Elvis and the Black Community parts 1 and 2.
Elvis has all kinds of music so he can make you think, make you fall in love, or wanna dance or feel any emotion you can imagine. He grew up in a poor area of Memphis & he grew up with black families that were poor like his own family. You need to check out his tribute to Martin Luther King 'If I can dream'. Such a powerful song, yet not as depressing as this one.
Elvis’ family was poor and he grew up n poor neighborhoods in both Tupelo, MO and Memphis, TN. These were primarily black neighborhoods. He interacted with the other kids in the neighborhood. In high school, he sang in the choir of a black Methodist church. Check out a video called “Elvis Presley, the echo will never die”.
ELVIS HAD GREAT backup singers and look what color they are. He saw no color, He loved gospel songs as Mississippi community revolved around going to church. He was & still pulls my heart strings. Elvis has so many black friends and he went to their churches and sung and played with them as children. Nothing racist about this wonderful man.
Mac Davis wrote this song about a friend of his. No one else would sing it! Elvis grew up very poor he very much was raised as friends with black community. He was the type person we all should be. It came out 1969
He Lived his early years Hungry, Poor, and without. He Understands what it feels like to go without. Graceland is named after his beautiful Mother Grace. He signed his first contract and bought his Mother a 55 Cadilac. It still has no miles on it sitting there at Graceland because she never got her license. That 55 Cadilac is still waiting on Momma to learn how to drive.
Elvis gave continuously to all races - through money, his time, free homes, cars, etc. Remember he was brought up in the ghetto and he never looked at a person 's skin. Elvis loved everyone. He couldn't understand why everyone wasn't given the same opportunities so they could have a good life.
Elvis grew up in a Tupelo, Mississippi ghetto; Dad, Vern, was in jail for bad checks. He sang in church...Gospel was his first love...he sang "That's All Right, Mama" in 1954, when a teenager for his Mother's birthday, at Sun Records. He was a Spec 4 in the Army, got out in 2 years. Released "Heartbreak Hotel" in 1956 to a massive amount of controversy from religious groups because of his movements. He made a string of musical romance movies, that he didn't want to do. Finally got a decent script for "King Creole", his only b&w movie. He just wanted to make music. His singing career took a dip when his wife left him, and the Beatles arrived, his "Comeback Tour" helped immensely. When he sang "In the Ghetto", which his manager thought would kill his career, he fought to sing it, (it was written by Mac Davis) and here we are...as relevent, and often played, today as it was in 1969, when it was released. Thank you for your great reaction.
Elvis was from the ghetto of Memphis TN. His father was put in prison and Elvis and his Mom were on government aid until his dad was released from prison. Elvis attended that African American Baptist church and sang in their choir. He definitely knew poverty. I will be a fan of Elvis until I leave this world.
Mac Davis wrote the song In the Ghetto. His best friend lived in the poor part of town and he wanted to write about it. Elvis totally understood the song and all its meaning, which is why people have such a reaction when he sings it. It comes from the heart of both the songwriter and the singer.
Elvis lived in tupelo Mississippi and in his teens he lived in the poor neiborhoods of north memphis. He fell in love with music because of the predominantly black choirs at the churches he attended as a kid. He got a 12 dollar guitar for his 11th birthday and the rest is history
Elvis grew up very poor and, he is a twin who's brother died. His feeling of loss is great. He was a child of a single mother when that was very rare. His life experience is obvious in his music and lyrics. My favorite line is how that's gonna be an angry young man.
This is why everyone can relate to Elvis. Peeps all over the world love this dude because he was real and sang from the heart. Greetings from Southern California 🕺
Whitney Huston's mother, Cissy Huston was one of Elvis Presley's backup singers called "The Sweet Sensations". Cissy Huston later had a stellar career as a gospel singer.
He absolutely was involved in the black community, as a young man he used to sneak into the back of the black churches he loved the sermons he loved everything about the and he did grow a very poor and in what would be a ghetto in his area his backup singers said he was so emotional and passionate actually one of his backup singers was Whitney mom he was such a great man and such a loss when he died not only for his music but everything about him I watched the Elvis movie and his family said it was so dead on God bless him😊
I love seeing the younger generations discover Elvis! This song was written by Mac Davis who passed a couple of years ago. I don’t know his story, but Elvis’ family was really poor. His dad was in prison for a while and he and his mom struggled even more during that time.
The song was written by Mac Davis, Elvis was the only artist that would take chance on recording it in 1969. Yes Elvis lived in the projects when his family moved to Memphis in the 1950,s and yes there were projects in the 50s
Elvis was very active within the black communities. There are videos on U Tube highlighting this. Another singer named Mac Davis wrote this song.in 1968 and here it is 2023 and not much has changed. FYI his back up singers were known as The Sweet Inspirations. One of them was Whitney Houston's mom
Elvis had a twin brother that died in childbirth. His family was so poor they had to bury him in a shoe box. This song was released in 1969. I was 12yrs old, It made me 😢 and it still does, I'm 66 btw.
Elvis grew up in tupelo Mississippi. He grew up in the church he was poor and as he grew up and began singing and became a legend he never forgot where he came from. He was a friend of mlk and when he was assassinated it hit him hard and he sang the song if i can dream in tribute of mlk and jfk. Many of his fans turned on him as he sang about ending racism but he never hesitated for a second. A true legend
The worlds greatest backup singers. fun fact, he once showed up to do a show and the property said the black girls couldnt come in to sing. he said, "If they cant come in, im not doing the show." They let the ladies in. they are amazing.
I was a skinny blond white kid when I lived in the ghetto outside DC. I was unaware when we moved there but I learned to love the ones who hurt me and that's what Elvis pulls out of my heart every time.
Mac Davis wrote this song from his childhood. Elvis also grew up in severe poverty in Tupelo Mississippi. His dad was in prison and he and his mom lived in the public housing along side people of all nationalities. That’s where he was exposed to the Blues that influenced his music.
yeah this song still makes m cry. I'm from Chicago too and growing up there with 6 people in a 1 bedroom apartment my mom was pretty much a single mom with 4 kids. My dad was working 2 jobs and going to school we never saw him. I'm just thanking God we didn't go down that path. I still love Chicago though, it was a good life even though we were broke. we were together.
Actually this song was written by Mac Davis. Davis grow up in the ghettos in Texas. Elvis grow up in Tupelo Miss. His family was very poor. Tupelo was a ghetto. Mac offered the song to Elvis because he knew Elvis would realty and was the only man who could get away recording it. The biggest thing about this song was the time in which Elvis decided to record it. Let alone sing it live to a white audience.
Great song great reaction! It gets me whenever I hear it. He personally knew about the ghetto. Grew up dirt poor. Half the time he didn't even have a pair of shoes to wear. He grew up around many people of color and loved to go listen to the music of the black churches his mother brought him to. He hated racism and when his backup singers of color were told to stay home. Elvis said no way. He'd stay home too. Try watching his Aloha from Hawaii concert from 1973. It was the first concert televised by satellite 📡 a big deal then. Over 1 billion, yes billion people watched it on tv. American Trilogy, You Gave Me A Mountain, My Way, all the songs were great. Some say not only his best concert but the best concert of all time!
Elvis released this song in 1969 when racial tensions in America were at a high point; and because of the song's very sensitive subject matter Elvis's manager told him not to record it because it would be a "flop" and would damage Elvis's career. But Elvis knew he had to do it and the song became an international hit reaching #3 in the U.S & Denmark, #2 in Canada, United Kingdom & Switzerland, #1 in Australia, #1 Ireland, #1 Belgium, #1 West Germany, #1 Sweden, #1 Spain, #1 Norway, #1 New Zealand, #6 Austria. Let's be thankful Elvis didn't take his manager's advice!
Bravo for doing this!! There was SO much more to Elvis than what "Pop Culture" myth and stereotype!! You can get to some of his big hits and fun stuff later.... I really think you should follow this up with "Elvis and The Black Community" and then "If I Can Dream" (about Martin Luther King) before you go any further with him, just so you have a little better understanding of who he was as a human and not just as a performer! Love this reaction very much!!!
To sing this song to a Las Vegas crowd is remarkable. Not something anyone else would ever do as well as sing gospel songs. He was not ashamed of his poor upbringing or faith. Elvis would attend black churches because he loved their love for the Lord and the music they played. The church pastor welcomed Elvis any time he wanted to be a part of the church. Says a lot about him as a human being.
No one else can sing this song with such feeling, if you are listening to it if you are from the Ghetto lived here and moved on or never have even walked by any Ghetto. This song the words Elvis voice really hit you in your heart!!
'In The Ghetto' and 'If I Can Dream' are probably the most important songs Elvis ever recorded and still have the same impact on society today. To think his manager Colonel Parker didn't want Elvis to record either of these songs but thankfully, Elvis overruled his manager.
Actually Mac Davis (Happiness is Lubbock Texas in my Rear View Mirror) wrote this song under his birth name Scott Davis. He was deeply moved by the Civil Rights Movement in his home state of Texas and a very close friend which influenced this song. He performed it for Sammy Davis Jr (with Jesse Jackson in the room too) and both were reduced to tears. Mac Davis had hoped Sammy would record it, but Sammy thought it would be more powerful if a white man sang it and suggested Elvis, who had his own close connection to poverty and the southern black community. Mac Davis wrote many songs for Elvis before recording for himself. If you want a good cry, listen to "Whoever Finds This, I Love You." Mac died last October. He was a big musical presence in my family growing up.
He grew up in extreme poverty in Tulepo, Mississippi. Dad was in jail. He attended an all black church with Mom. And he was a huge advocate for the children.
His backing singers were black and were often refused entrance to the gig. He just told them if they couldn't come in and perform, then he wouldn't either. And he stuck to it. He really understood as he grew up in terrible poverty and knew just what it was like. A very good person.....
Wow that’s wild Elvis is amazing man
This was a controversial song and Elvis decided he was going to record it against many advisors'advice. Elvis was very poor growing up
That's not exactly how it went. Certain places mostly the southern states advised the Elvis camp that he could leave the black girls back home. Elvis refused to work any gig where the girls weren't welcome. I'm Myrna Smith of the Sweet Inspirations cousin .
One of them is Whitney Houston's mom. Cissy Houston. Amazing.
Elvis Presley lived in the project homes here in Memphis I’m Dixie Homes before he became rich
Elvis grew up dirt poor in the south, Tupelo, Mississippi. He used to attend a Black church because he liked the music and singing. This instilled in him a great compassion for the poor from all cultures.
Elvis had a lot of respect for the black community and drew a lot of inspiration from the black church music and he attended a lot of revivals as he grew up poor and had a lot of black friends through out his life. He was truly an inspiration to me.
Elvis grew up in the poor neighborhoods and first sang in the black churches...he had no boundaries and loved everybody !!
1968
I love that you love Elvis. He was one of a kind. He grew up dirt poor. A whole new generation is finding out that he was more than a caricature or cartoon. He was solid.
Elvis grew up in abject poverty. And yes, he was deeply involved with the black community.
Wow didn’t know that
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 you seriously need to do some research before you open your mouth go and watch Elvis and the black community on here, also his mother used to wash Neighbors clothes for some extra money he was born on the wrong side of the train tracks all his neighbours were black, he used to have Sunday mass at a black church his friends growing up were black he used to sneak his friend in a “white only movie theatre” when he worked there. Go and read a book then come back and comment, anyone who disagrees with these simple facts don’t know anything about elvis’s childhood
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 go and research his actual neighbours and read what they have to say over the years when they were interviewed, how he treated every body man woman black or white and called them sir and mam, how he learned his first guitar chords form his black neighbours, how he over and over throughout his career told his fans that his roots in gospel music made him what he was, not forgetting how many amazing charity’s and random acts of kindness he done in his lifetime for anyone no matter race to colour, to say how is Elvis connected to the black community and you need an explanation then you in my opinion shouldn’t bother listening to Elvis ever again Because you have completely missed the point and feel of his music. Listen to somebody else...
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 I really think it's a hopeless case trying to explain anything to you.
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 oh and only fools think they know all the answers without research so anything you say is literally just a opinion . It stops with you, there is nothing you can say or do that will change the fact Elvis is Elvis he’s a lot bigger than you even in death
Elvis grew up in the Ghetto in Miss. and Memphis he was a twin but his brother died at birth. He was very special. Now watch Elvis and the Black Community and If I can Dream is about MLK. This song was 70s.
Man I didn’t know Elvis was so involved.
I def look at him different now
Mad respect for him
@@dubzer0649 Check out "If I can dream" he sung this for Martin Luther King speech and also for his assasination
@@dubzer0649 Do if i can dream 68 comeback special,,he in the white suit
And Bobby Kennedy people forget him i never will.
Facts!
He loved the black community. He had a lot of black friends. He loved singing gospel music from the old church way. He was a good man!
Elvis came from the ghetto. His family moved to Memphis and he was in the projects. He made a record for his mom for her birthday. BAM! A king in the making.
I was 10 years old in 1969, a middle-class White Aussie girl living thousands of miles from the USA. I didn't know what a ghetto was, but this song made me cry, and 53 years later it still does because nothing has changed! My Mum loved Elvis. In July 2022 we had planned to watch the Elvis movie together, but Mum died peacefully that morning. So, 3 hours after my mum died my daughter and I went to the cinema to honour my beautiful mother. At the movie's end when "In the Ghetto" was played, my daughter cried for her grandma's passing, but I still cried for all those mommas in the Ghetto.
We didn't really learn or heed the words and just want to blame the people in the ghetto rather than help. We say it's their damn fault. They just need to pick themselves up from their boot straps. Sorry for your loss. I grew up hearing a bit of Elvis when I was a kid, but I was very young, so he was kind of a footnote. I definitely knew Jailhouse Rock and Suspicious Minds the best. The Ghetto came to me later.
Elvis was born in the Getto, very poor. He saw this firsthand. Just as true today as in the 60's.Makes me cry cause I was born in the Getto. Single Mom, we struggled. Made fun of because of being poor. God bless those ones who know.
Elvis was born into very poor conditions and lived in a mixed race ghetto type area in Tennessee. He never forgot where he came from and was generous to a fault with anyone he met in need.
Yes I had no clue about any of that about Elvis until I started reacting to his music
He was the goat 🐐 hands down
He was actually born in Tupelo Mississippi. He moved to Tennessee later on
Elvis grew up poor in tulipo Mississippi in a shack with very little when he got famous he gave to the poor alot even gave cars our
Man that’s very humbling
Elvis was born into poverty, he lived in TN and moved to Memphis when he was about 13 yrs old, at that time they lived in the projects there. They say that this is part of the reason he was so generous and caring, because he knew what it was like to go without and it made him very humble all of his life.
Elvis was born extremely poor. He always fought for the underdog. After hearing this song and where Elvis is coming from you should definitely react to “Elvis Presley and the Black Community.” It’s a short documentary that i think you and your viewers may enjoy.
Man I had no idea about any of this stuff about Elvis super cool
For real
Def have to watch the documentary
@@dubzer0649 There's a part 1 & 2, make sure you watch both!
Yes, PLEASE WATCH, REACT TO the documentary , Elvis and black community.
Elvis was from poverty and very involved in the black community, but this was written by Mac Davis a country s8nger/song writer. He too grew up in poverty etc. He recorded this first but then Elvis took it and re-recorded because he was big enough to make it a hit and he wanted to shine a light on this. 50 years later it STILL resonates because it's on repeat!!!
I'm 75 and I'm loving seeing your generation discover Elvis! If everyone were like him we wouldn't even know what the word racism meant. I see lots of people recommending "Elvis and the Black Community". It's a 2 part documentary. Elvis recorded over 800 songs so your journey could be long but, trust me, it'll be worth it. I have a few suggestions to get you started: "Walk A Mile In My Shoes", "Make The World Go Away", "One Night With You", "Suspicious Minds", "A Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Polk Salad Annie", and "Memphis Tennessee". And if you like gospel (Elvis's first love) a good starting point is "How Great Thou Art". Enjoy the journey!!
I’m glad you enjoyed. Thanks for the comment and for watching this video I appreciate you
Add "If I Can Dream" a tribute to MLk. I think that song performed at his 1968 Come Back Special is not only his best performance but the best performance I have ever seen. I try to listen to it every day and apply it's principles to my life. Not always an easy thing to do.
Elvis was born poor and grew up in the ghettos of Mississippi. He grew up in the Black churches singing. He did so much charity work for the poor.
He was from the ghetto he grew up very poor and in poverty. He knows first hand what it was like
Elvis was sent from God. Really no other explanation.
in the ghetto Elvis at his best deep yes very deep Elvis was a gent very generous supported more then we are aware of god bless this man humble beginning's and stayed that way his background meant some thing he never forgot the hardship nor where he came from which is why he was so generous god bless this man if he aint in heaven i want to know why i love the man all in a good way
He grew up in Tupelo ghetto. Moved to Memphis when he was 14. He had no plumbing or electricity and often his family had no food.
Wow so he had experience with this type of stuff
That’s cool didn’t know that about Elvis
Elvis was born poor. But loved everyone. He really loved his mother. Did everything for her. When he did his concerts those big rings on his fingers that were worth thousands of dollars he would give to the women in the audience. Not all the time but he did. He was in the Army also did a lot of movies. He sang Gospel songs too. Which I really think you would enjoy.
Wow he accomplished so much I have to see more
The army too wow what a humble man to go through all that and put it in his music love it
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 And what would be the difference??
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 can you articulate an answer yourself? or do you just link that video every time you feel like your victimhood is being diminished?
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 I don't think your a victim end of. and i'm not an Elvis fan either. just like watching people watch stuff, how wierd eh?
But if people like Elvis didn't stand up to the jim crow laws/ideology things might have been worse for the poor black today. for everyone who deserves credit for their behaviour during those times, there is someone like you who just wants to trash them.
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 my error. stood against it is what i meant to write.
and if you weren't trashing elvis (and his fans) then maybe you should have actually wrote what you meant instead of just posting a link to a bunch of photos.
edit. if fact you go back and read. i never did say he stood up for. i said he stood up to.
Elvis's soul depth and diversity remain unmatched.
Listen to the actual studio recording, it's stunning.
Elvis is the man!!! The GOAT!!! So glad to see you start on the Elvis train.
Def goat status
If I can Dream, Walk A Mile In My Shoes, In The Ghetto, Change of Habit, Clean Up Your Own Backyard - Elvis was NOT a protest singer - but he DID make his statements, but people didn't care to listen.
I Def respect Elvis
He never forgot his roots. More Elvis please!
More to come
Elvis Presley was a beautiful man inside and out
Facts
Goat 🐐
Elvis did not write any songs but he refused to back off singing this and his interpretation of " In The Ghetto " is brilliant . The first to stand up to Racism in America was Frank Sinatra with Sammy Davis Jr .
This song was personal to Elvis; he actually went to the President to seek change. He caught mass flack over this song, they did not want him to release it. What is sad is this song is 50 years old and is just as relevant today as it was then. I was 7 when I heard it, the lyrics "As the world turns" set with me and I have never been able to just let the world turn. We are our brothers' keepers.
Elvis presley actually won a gospel award for In the ghetto
As soon as you said that you were from Chicago, I knew this song would touch you. This song was written by Mac Davis (singer/songwriter), but Elvis wanted to sing it because he understood. Please react to If I Can Dream by Elvis-it will affect you, too.
Yes this really hit home, no lie. Great song and Elvis is awesome got to do more from him
Yes MAC DAVIS WROTE THIS SONG HE OFFERED IT TO SAMMY DAVIS JR. AND SEEM LIKE NO ONE WOULD DO IT ON A STAGE FILLED MOSTLY PROMINENT WHITE PEOPLE.. ELVIS WAS ASKED NOT TO DO IT.... AND HE DID.. WHEN HE SINGS PART AS THE WORLD TURNS HE GOES INTO BOWING HEAD AND LOOKS INTO THE AUDIENCE. I MAY ADD THERE'S NO SMILE ON THIS MANS FACE. I WAS SO PROUD WHEN HE DID THIS SONG. GOD BLESS THE CHILDREN. 💞💞💞
Thank you for the recommendation!
His voice is inane in If I Can Dream and the message of common human solidarity is beautiful.
Peace ✌️
Listen to (if I can dream) a tribute to MLK after MLK was murdered. Elvis cried and was very upset that MLK was murdered
Ok I’ll def have to give that a listen
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 Elvis fans don't really care what a hateful uniformed racist TROLLER like you thinks about Elvis. So why don't you go and watch other reactions and talk about something that you are more educated about. He respected MLK and what he stood for, and by not attending his funeral doesn't mean anything!!! LOTS of famous people admire other famous people, but they don't necessarily have to attend their funeral to prove a point. It's such a lame argument. You must be a very bitter and shallow person. You pretend to be such a big MLK supporter, but you sir are the one who is not walking the walk because MLK preached on peace and love which are two things you could use a little more of in your heart.
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 Hey bitter troll, as others have said, Elvis did not attend MLK's funeral out of respect for MLK because it would've created a distraction and a circus & detracted attn from MLK. You're the fool, get help with your anger issues.
This is the deeper side of Elvis, his heart is showing in this video. Much love, Elvis!
Elvis is the man, got more of his stuff coming out Forsure
The more things change, the more things stay the same! Thank you for your reaction!
Elvis was born Poor in Tupelo Mississippi and then lived in the housing projects in Memphis Tennessee until he got famous
Didn’t know he went through so much growing up until I started doing reactions on him
Man them sisters in the background they sound like heaven when they sing the sisters just icing the cake when they got to be singers for Elvis
Yes I agree with Mr. Sander. You should watch the documentary in order to understand
Elvis.
Ok will do, 👌
He got it. He understood. "If I Can Dream" and "That's Alright Mama!"
This might be your first time hearing Elvis but I bet it won't be your last, Elvis grew up in the ghetto, he knew all about it, listen to him sing if I can dream and walk a mile in my shoes, you'll understand him even more. If I can dream was a tribute to MLK and JFK. Thanks Lori Sutton TCB!!!
I love me some Elvis goat 🐐
Elvis was born on the "wrong side" of the tracks in a "shotgun house" in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was a rwin - his brother not surviving too many hours past birth. As the saying goes, his family didn't have "a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of." He did A LOT for the black community during his whole life and hired many black folks, then caught Hell for it, but it never stopped him and God made sure he prospered!
Elvis is an amazing man
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 - He hired people for road crew, to work at Graceland, musicians, etc., all at a time when it WASN'T received too well. BTW, just WHO do you think YOU are? WHY am I supposed to school you? Are you that "special" or that LAZY? I don't owe you jack!
Literally the first time hearing Elvis except hound dog. Might need to look more into him! Wow! 🤯
Also check out Mac Davis while you go down the Elvis rabbit hole. Mac Davis was famous for "Oh Lord, It's Hard to be Humble" and " Happiness Is Lubbock Texas in my Rear View Window," but he wrote lots of songs for Elvis under his birth name, Scott Davis. Most notably, Mac wrote "Memories," "A Little Less Conversation," and Don't Cry Daddy" for Elvis to record in addition to "In the Ghetto."
Yea me too
Def will check it out as well thanks for this information
@@L0C0vision he also wrote “Clean up your own backyard”. And another great hit of his was “Baby Don’t Get Hooked in Me”. Great writer and singer
@@RJsStudio131 I love them all!!! He was my first musical crush. Dream Me Home, Poor Boy Boogie, Memories, Friend Lover Woman Wife, One Hell of a Woman, Naughty Girl, Half and Half. I love them all.
I have watched SOOOOOOOO many peopel react to this same song, and ALL of them have said the same thing. Which lets you know how legendary Elvis is with the messages in his songs.
Elvis loved all people. He sang of injustice. He sang this and If I Can Dream against the advice of his people. He didn't care. Watch Elvis and the Black Community parts 1 and 2.
I’ll def have to check out part 2
Thanks for letting me know about it
My favorite Elvis song!!
I’m glad you enjoy
Elvis has all kinds of music so he can make you think, make you fall in love, or wanna dance or feel any emotion you can imagine. He grew up in a poor area of Memphis & he grew up with black families that were poor like his own family. You need to check out his tribute to Martin Luther King 'If I can dream'. Such a powerful song, yet not as depressing as this one.
Elvis’ family was poor and he grew up n poor neighborhoods in both Tupelo, MO and Memphis, TN. These were primarily black neighborhoods. He interacted with the other kids in the neighborhood. In high school, he sang in the choir of a black Methodist church. Check out a video called “Elvis Presley, the echo will never die”.
Wow I had no clue, Elvis is the realist 💯
If I Can Dream - Elvis does this amazingly
Wait till you see if I can dream, you don't know what you've set yourself up for but you'll love the ride
Can’t wait to do that one stay tuned
ELVIS HAD GREAT backup singers and look what color they are. He saw no color, He loved gospel songs as Mississippi community revolved around going to church. He was & still pulls my heart strings. Elvis has so many black friends and he went to their churches and sung and played with them as children. Nothing racist about this wonderful man.
Elvis was the goat 🐐
May he RIP
Mac Davis wrote this song about a friend of his. No one else would sing it! Elvis grew up very poor he very much was raised as friends with black community. He was the type person we all should be. It came out 1969
He Lived his early years Hungry, Poor, and without. He Understands what it feels like to go without. Graceland is named after his beautiful Mother Grace. He signed his first contract and bought his Mother a 55 Cadilac. It still has no miles on it sitting there at Graceland because she never got her license. That 55 Cadilac is still waiting on Momma to learn how to drive.
Elvis gave continuously to all races - through money, his time, free homes, cars, etc. Remember he was brought up in the ghetto and he never looked at a person 's skin. Elvis loved everyone. He couldn't understand why everyone wasn't given the same opportunities so they could have a good life.
Elvis grew up in a Tupelo, Mississippi ghetto; Dad, Vern, was in jail for bad checks. He sang in church...Gospel was his first love...he sang "That's All Right, Mama" in 1954, when a teenager for his Mother's birthday, at Sun Records. He was a Spec 4 in the Army, got out in 2 years. Released "Heartbreak Hotel" in 1956 to a massive amount of controversy from religious groups because of his movements. He made a string of musical romance movies, that he didn't want to do. Finally got a decent script for "King Creole", his only b&w movie. He just wanted to make music. His singing career took a dip when his wife left him, and the Beatles arrived, his "Comeback Tour" helped immensely. When he sang "In the Ghetto", which his manager thought would kill his career, he fought to sing it, (it was written by Mac Davis) and here we are...as relevent, and often played, today as it was in 1969, when it was released. Thank you for your great reaction.
Elvis was from the ghetto of Memphis TN. His father was put in prison and Elvis and his Mom were on government aid until his dad was released from prison. Elvis attended that African American Baptist church and sang in their choir. He definitely knew poverty. I will be a fan of Elvis until I leave this world.
Mac Davis wrote the song In the Ghetto. His best friend lived in the poor part of town and he wanted to write about it. Elvis totally understood the song and all its meaning, which is why people have such a reaction when he sings it. It comes from the heart of both the songwriter and the singer.
Song was written by amazing song writer/ singer Mac Davis.
Amazing 🤩 song def enjoyed this
Thanks for watching
Elvis lived in tupelo Mississippi and in his teens he lived in the poor neiborhoods of north memphis. He fell in love with music because of the predominantly black choirs at the churches he attended as a kid. He got a 12 dollar guitar for his 11th birthday and the rest is history
Wow that’s amazing, to think it started with a 12 dollar guitar too. That’s cool
South Memphis is where they settled after moving from sugar ditch
Elvis grew up very poor and, he is a twin who's brother died. His feeling of loss is great. He was a child of a single mother when that was very rare. His life experience is obvious in his music and lyrics. My favorite line is how that's gonna be an angry young man.
This is why everyone can relate to Elvis. Peeps all over the world love this dude because he was real and sang from the heart. Greetings from Southern California 🕺
Thanks for this great reaction! Please do more ELVIS reactions!
Whitney Huston's mother, Cissy Huston was one of Elvis Presley's backup singers called "The Sweet Sensations". Cissy Huston later had a stellar career as a gospel singer.
He absolutely was involved in the black community, as a young man he used to sneak into the back of the black churches he loved the sermons he loved everything about the and he did grow a very poor and in what would be a ghetto in his area his backup singers said he was so emotional and passionate actually one of his backup singers was Whitney mom he was such a great man and such a loss when he died not only for his music but everything about him I watched the Elvis movie and his family said it was so dead on God bless him😊
I love seeing the younger generations discover Elvis! This song was written by Mac Davis who passed a couple of years ago. I don’t know his story, but Elvis’ family was really poor. His dad was in prison for a while and he and his mom struggled even more during that time.
He was the King
He def was
Man them sisters gives me cold chills bad it's so beautiful the way they sing
Two very powerful songs that are a must where Elvis “bleeds” passion:
If I Can Dream (tribute to MLK)
American Trilogy
Def have those coming
The song was written by Mac Davis, Elvis was the only artist that would take chance on recording it in 1969. Yes Elvis lived in the projects when his family moved to Memphis in the 1950,s and yes there were projects in the 50s
Oh wow didn’t know that, thanks for the background information
Elvis was very active within the black communities. There are videos on U Tube highlighting this.
Another singer named Mac Davis wrote this song.in 1968 and here it is 2023 and not much has changed. FYI his back up singers were known as The Sweet Inspirations. One of them was Whitney Houston's mom
Elvis had a twin brother that died in childbirth. His family was so poor they had to bury him in a shoe box. This song was released in 1969.
I was 12yrs old, It made me 😢 and it still does, I'm 66 btw.
And in the 60 + years since he recorded this song nothing has changed that's sad
Elvis grew up in tupelo Mississippi. He grew up in the church he was poor and as he grew up and began singing and became a legend he never forgot where he came from. He was a friend of mlk and when he was assassinated it hit him hard and he sang the song if i can dream in tribute of mlk and jfk. Many of his fans turned on him as he sang about ending racism but he never hesitated for a second. A true legend
He's talking about himself in this song as Elvis grew up poor and in the Ghetto, love this song
Long live the king. Rock on man.
Thanks for watching
The worlds greatest backup singers.
fun fact, he once showed up to do a show and the property said the black girls couldnt come in to sing. he said, "If they cant come in, im not doing the show." They let the ladies in. they are amazing.
I was a skinny blond white kid when I lived in the ghetto outside DC. I was unaware when we moved there but I learned to love the ones who hurt me and that's what Elvis pulls out of my heart every time.
Mac Davis wrote this song from his childhood. Elvis also grew up in severe poverty in Tupelo Mississippi. His dad was in prison and he and his mom lived in the public housing along side people of all nationalities. That’s where he was exposed to the Blues that influenced his music.
Always had and ALWAYS will be my favorite song😢
Elvis was born in the getto
Wow didn’t know that
I’m so happy that he is still making a difference!
yeah this song still makes m cry. I'm from Chicago too and growing up there with 6 people in a 1 bedroom apartment my mom was pretty much a single mom with 4 kids. My dad was working 2 jobs and going to school we never saw him. I'm just thanking God we didn't go down that path. I still love Chicago though, it was a good life even though we were broke. we were together.
Elvis sang at a black church as a youth. He always kept a love for southern old-time gospel music.
Actually this song was written by Mac Davis. Davis grow up in the ghettos in Texas. Elvis grow up in Tupelo Miss. His family was very poor. Tupelo was a ghetto. Mac offered the song to Elvis because he knew Elvis would realty and was the only man who could get away recording it. The biggest thing about this song was the time in which Elvis decided to record it. Let alone sing it live to a white audience.
Yea I didn’t know elvis grew up tough but I think it’s really cool that he was like that def goat status
Great song great reaction! It gets me whenever I hear it. He personally knew about the ghetto. Grew up dirt poor. Half the time he didn't even have a pair of shoes to wear. He grew up around many people of color and loved to go listen to the music of the black churches his mother brought him to. He hated racism and when his backup singers of color were told to stay home. Elvis said no way. He'd stay home too. Try watching his Aloha from Hawaii concert from 1973. It was the first concert televised by satellite 📡 a big deal then. Over 1 billion, yes billion people watched it on tv. American Trilogy, You Gave Me A Mountain, My Way, all the songs were great. Some say not only his best concert but the best concert of all time!
Yes this def touched me can lie
Elvis was different 🐐
Wow 1 billion that’s crazy
Elvis released this song in 1969 when racial tensions in America were at a high point; and because of the song's very sensitive subject matter Elvis's manager told him not to record it because it would be a "flop" and would damage Elvis's career. But Elvis knew he had to do it and the song became an international hit reaching #3 in the U.S & Denmark, #2 in Canada, United Kingdom & Switzerland, #1 in Australia, #1 Ireland, #1 Belgium, #1 West Germany, #1 Sweden, #1 Spain, #1 Norway, #1 New Zealand, #6 Austria. Let's be thankful Elvis didn't take his manager's advice!
Elvis is amazing
Elvis was poor into poverty you should react to If I can dream it's really deep great reaction safe 👍👏 he sang it in 69 that was from a 1970 show
Def lots more Elvis to come stay tuned
Bravo for doing this!! There was SO much more to Elvis than what "Pop Culture" myth and stereotype!! You can get to some of his big hits and fun stuff later.... I really think you should follow this up with "Elvis and The Black Community" and then "If I Can Dream" (about Martin Luther King) before you go any further with him, just so you have a little better understanding of who he was as a human and not just as a performer! Love this reaction very much!!!
Great Suggestion
Wow the title alone sounds interesting I’ll def have to do that song. Stay tuned for it prob this week
I must agree with you. That side of Elvis needs to be seen to truly appreciate him. Sure, he had his problems, but he was also a great human!
Great reaction to a song that is still so relevant, several decades later
He’s a beautiful man, so talented ! I’m from Chicago
The more things change...The more they stay the same. History repeats itself. So many 60's and 70's songs are relevant today.
Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment
Liked it. First time hearing it
Glsd you liked it
I don’t like when it’s NFL lol 😂
@@dubzer0649 lol
To sing this song to a Las Vegas crowd is remarkable. Not something anyone else would ever do as well as sing gospel songs. He was not ashamed of his poor upbringing or faith. Elvis would attend black churches because he loved their love for the Lord and the music they played. The church pastor welcomed Elvis any time he wanted to be a part of the church. Says a lot about him as a human being.
No one else can sing this song with such feeling, if you are listening to it if you are from the Ghetto lived here and moved on or never have even walked by any Ghetto. This song the words Elvis voice really hit you in your heart!!
'In The Ghetto' and 'If I Can Dream' are probably the most important songs Elvis ever recorded and still have the same impact on society today. To think his manager Colonel Parker didn't want Elvis to record either of these songs but thankfully, Elvis overruled his manager.
He grew in a ghetto in Mississippi. This is an inspiration song like a prophecy for this time
There's a story behind him singing this song even when the record company told him it would destroy his career, he didn't care
Johnny was a real one
Actually Mac Davis (Happiness is Lubbock Texas in my Rear View Mirror) wrote this song under his birth name Scott Davis. He was deeply moved by the Civil Rights Movement in his home state of Texas and a very close friend which influenced this song. He performed it for Sammy Davis Jr (with Jesse Jackson in the room too) and both were reduced to tears. Mac Davis had hoped Sammy would record it, but Sammy thought it would be more powerful if a white man sang it and suggested Elvis, who had his own close connection to poverty and the southern black community.
Mac Davis wrote many songs for Elvis before recording for himself. If you want a good cry, listen to "Whoever Finds This, I Love You."
Mac died last October. He was a big musical presence in my family growing up.
Wow thanks for the background on this band sad that Mac passed away but really cool that he influenced your family
@@dubzer0649 You can't imagine what a treat it was to have one of my favorite reactors listen to a Mac Davis/Elvis song!!! Thank you.
Mac Davis wrote this song, he was a black song writer for a lot of Elvis's songs. Elvis was one of the greats.
Thank you 💖! I wish you all the best ☀️. Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪